Mechanical seal life
The life of a mechanical seal depends on the cleanliness of the pumped fluid. Due to the diversity of op-
erating conditions, it is not possible to give definite indications as to the life of a mechanical seal.
6.1.4.2 Packed stuffing-box maintenance
WARNING:
•
Failure to disconnect and lock out driver power may result in serious physical injury. Nev-
er attempt to replace the packing until the driver is properly locked out.
Adjustment of gland
Adjust the gland if the leakage rate is greater than or less than the specified rate.
Evenly adjust each of the two gland bolts with a one-quarter (1/4) turn until the desired leakage rate is
obtained. Tighten the bolts to decrease the rate. Loosen the bolts to increase the rate.
Tightening of packing
NOTICE:
Never over-tighten packing to the point where less than one drop per second is observed.
Over-tightening can cause excessive wear and power consumption during operation.
If you cannot tighten the packing to obtain less than the specified leakage rate, then replace the packing.
6.1.5 Packed Stuffing Box
If the axial flow pump has a standard stuffing box to seal the rotating shaft the packing rings were instal-
led at the factory, but at some point during the life of the pump they must be replaced. The following
steps are used to replace the standard packing:
1.
Drain the system or isolate the pumpage from the pump before replacing the packing.
2.
Remove the nuts from the gland studs that hold the gland in place.
3.
Use a packing puller remove the first (2) rows of packing from the box.
4.
Use threaded rods or a packing puller to remove the lantern ring from the box.
5.
Use a packing puller remove the second (2) rings of packing from the box.
6.
Use threaded rods or a packing puller to remove the second lantern ring from the box.
7.
Use a packing puller remove the final ring of packing from the bottom of the box.
8.
Clean the stuffing box of any grit or build-up. Clean the shaft sleeve prior to replacing the packing. If
the sleeve is damaged now is the time to replace it.
9.
Install the packing and lantern ring in the reverse order of removal, 1 ring of packing, lantern ring, 2
rings of packing, lantern ring, 2 rings of packing, and the gland. Firmly seat each ring. Stagger joints
in each ring 90°. Make sure center of lantern ring lines up with flush tap in the stuffing box.
10. Die formed packing rings are used when re-packing a box. Care must be used during their installa-
tion. To install packing, twist the ring sideways just enough to get it around the shaft. Do not attempt
to pull rings straight out, see Figure:
Packing rings
.
6.1 Maintenance
Model AF (42"/1200mm/54"/60"/66") LM/LMR Bearings Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Manual
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